Malcolm Christie believes his partnership with Fabrizio Ravanelli can rocket Derby County up the Premiership this season.

Malcolm Christie believes his partnership with Fabrizio Ravanelli can rocket Derby County up the Premiership this season.

The England Under-21 striker goes into the new campaign full of confidence, especially after scoring in the 4-0 defeat of Holland in midweek.

His mood is in complete contrast to last pre-season when he was struck by a viral meningitis. Now he is almost certain to link up with former Lazio star Ravanelli tomorrow when newly-promoted Blackburn Rovers visit Pride Park.

Christie said: "I already feel the benefit of Fabrizio being here as he talks to me all the time on the training ground.

"All we need now is to play games and I am sure we will be a formidable partnership."

Manager Jim Smith knows Derby cannot afford another dreadful start to the season, but he has already suffered a setback before the opening game with Horacio Carbonari (groin) and Stefano Eranio (calf) ruled out of the first three Premiership matches.

Both were injured in the pre-season friendly defeat by Barcelona, but Smith said: "We must still set off better this time. Last year we had to come back from the dead after problems up until November.

"After taking only five points from the first 11, the trap door was beginning to open, but then we had 27 from 37. We're being realistic. We are one of at least 10 clubs scrapping for every point."

Blackburn's David Dunn is convinced, though, that Rovers - the 1995 Premiership champions - will soon put down a new marker back in the top-flight.

And he sees a good omen for tomorrow in that Graeme Souness' side defeated mighty Barcelona in a friendly at Ewood Park recently. England Under-21 midfielder Dunn was ecstatic afterwards.

"It was the perfect way to build up to the season," he said.

"It was a terrific atmosphere. What made it better was that they fielded one of their strongest sides. It was great to test yourselves against the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars and Luis Enrique.

"The match gave us a taste of what football is going to be like in the coming season. There are going to be teams that like to get forward as quickly as possible and also teams that like to play it around like Barcelona.

"It is going to be tough, but if confidence isn't high after beating a side like them, then there is something wrong with you."